[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 120 (Thursday, September 12, 2013)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E1306] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] HONORING GREATER DAMASCUS CHURCH OF CHRIST (HOLINESS) U.S.A. _____ HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON of mississippi in the house of representatives Thursday, September 12, 2013 Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a pillar of the community, Greater Damascus Church of Christ (Holiness) U.S.A. One of the most prominent churches in the Church of Christ (Holiness) U.S.A. Movement is Greater Damascus Church of Christ (Holiness) U.S.A., on 1013 Damascus Circle, Hazlehurst, Mississippi. Since its beginning, the Church has been instrumental in the community's development. As far as records indicate, Damascus Church began during slavery, and grew out of the white Damascus Baptist Church. In 1865, when the slaves were set free, a division arose in the church due to a disposition of Negro membership freed of bondage after the Civil War. Because of this, the Negro congregation was given ten acres of land to continue their worship service. In 1867, the already established colored Damascus Baptist Church began having services in a brush arbor under the leadership of Rev. Tom Askerneese as pastor. He served from 1867 until his death in 1872, a total of five years. In 1872, Elder W. S. Pleasant was elected pastor. He pastored the Damascus Baptist Church from 1872 to 1896, which was twenty-four years. In 1896, Elder Pleasant and the Church joined with Bishop Charles Price Jones, founder of the Church of Christ (Holiness) U.S.A., and Damascus Church became one of the first churches to join the ``Holiness Movement.'' The Church became known as Damascus Church of Christ (Holiness) U.S.A. The Church was able to move out of the brush arbor into their erected church building under Elder Pleasant's leadership. He served as pastor of the new denominational church from 1896 to 1918, twenty-two years. Elder Pleasant's total service to Damascus Church was forty-six years. He resigned as pastor to do evangelistic work. He died February 7, 1935. In 1919, the Church accepted Elder L. J. Brunson as the second pastor of the new denominational church. He pastored from 1919 to 1932, a total of twelve years, before resigning to go to Norfolk, Virginia. He died in 1941. On January 27, 1931, the Rev. George A. Thomas, a man of many talents, came as pastor of Damascus Church. In 1966, Rev. Thomas built the second church since the brush arbor. The dedication of the church was held on September 15, 1966. In June 1971, the adjoining building to the church was built to serve as classrooms and as a dining hall. Rev. Thomas served as pastor of Damascus Church longer than either of the previous pastors. His tenure lasted January 27, 1931 until his death on January 13, 1980, a term of forty-nine years. After the death of Rev. Thomas, the Church sought out a new pastor. In a call meeting, May 1980, the congregation voted to accept Elder Arnold Stanton, Sr., who came as pastor in September, 1980. The third church was built and dedicated to God in August 1986. The contractor was Damascus' own, Deacon George A. Harris, Sr. The new sanctuary led to the name changing from Damascus Church of Christ (Holiness) U.S.A. to Greater Damascus Church of Christ (Holiness) U.S.A. On December 25, 1994, Elder Stanton resigned as pastor of Greater Damascus Church. His tenure lasted fourteen years. January 1, 1995, Greater Damascus Church was without a pastor. Elder Clifton Goodloe, Jr., accompanied by his lovely wife, Sister Delores Goodloe, came and conducted the morning service. Elder Goodloe's text was taken from Acts 24:10-16, and the thought was, ``Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide.'' On Monday, January 2, 1995, the Church's first business meeting of the new year was conducted by Bishop Maurice D. Bingham, Presiding Prelate of the South Central Diocese of the Church of Christ (Holiness) U.S.A. Bishop Bingham was accompanied by Elder Eddie Jones, Jr., pastor of the Crystal Springs Church of Christ (Holiness) U.S.A. In this business meeting, the congregation of Greater Damascus Church voted to accept Elder Clifton Goodloe, Jr. as pastor. On January 8, 1995, Elder Clifton Goodloe, Jr. became pastor of Greater Damascus Church of Christ (Holiness) U.S.A. Elder Goodloe's main goal and objective is to ``Preach God's Word in His Fullness'' so when men, women, boys and girls hear the ``Word'' they may be convicted and become saved. Elder Goodloe is in his nineteenth year as pastor of Greater Damascus Church. ``Damascus Church'' has produced five ``Sons of the House.'' They are the late Elder C. D. Tate, Sr., Rev. Ellis Blackwell, Jr., Elder Henry Smiley, Elder Andre' Tyler and Elder Nicholas Tanner. Greater Damascus Church has had a grand processional of Christian soldiers who labored for many, many years and laid a solid foundation for generations to follow. Those who are gone have left a rich heritage that should not be merely praised and testified to, it must be built upon. Greater Damascus Church of Christ (Holiness) U.S.A. has been in existence one hundred and forty-nine years, in the ``Holiness Movement'' one hundred and seventeen years, and six pastors during this time. What a legacy! Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the Greater Damascus Church of Christ (Holiness) U.S.A. as they strive to be the guide for others to find the joy of serving God through His Son, Jesus Christ. ____________________